As part of the updates to the September 2025 dairy evaluations, updates were made to the Economic Values that underpin the EBI. These Economic Values are derived from the Moorepark Dairy Systems Model (MDSM). These updates account for rising input costs, such as increased feed and fertiliser prices, higher output prices and future market projections. The most notable changes can be seen in the Beef and Maintenance Sub-Indexes. These changes reflect three key updates:
- The increase in the value of beef,
- Higher feed costs (up by 40%)
- The reallocation of heifer rearing costs from the cull cow element of the beef sub-index into the Maintenance Sub-Index.
As a result, the economic value applied to the cost of maintaining each additional kilogram of cow live-weight has increased by 43%. This means the predicted live-weight (kg) of mature cows based on the Maintenance Sub-Index (table 1 below) will also be revised.
Similarly, due to the increase in the cull cow price and carcass weight, the Beef Sub-Index for cows will see an average increase of €5, with the bigger cows being rewarded more and the smaller cows being penalised more.
What does this mean for the cows in my herd?
Ultimately, it is a farmers own decision to decide the size of the cow that they like and want on their own farms, but it is important that in making that decision that farmers are aware that choosing low or negative maintenance bulls will increase the live weight of their cows in the future and that these cows will require more feed to simply maintain themselves.
As a result of the September 2025 updates, you will notice that the Maintenance Sub-Index of your cows will look quite different. However, it is important to note that while the figure might look different, the Predicted Live Weight remains much the same. For example, a cow with a Maintenance Sub-Index of €16 in the May Evaluation, now has a Maintenance Sub-Index of €29. In both instances, the predicted live weight is approximately 550kg.
ICBF have developed a Maintenance ‘Ready Reckoner’ which is designed to help farmers to interpret the new figures in order to make the best decisions for their herd going forward.
The Estimated Maintenance Sub-Index Calculator has 3 options:
Option 1 • Old Maintenance Sub-Index ➜ New (Sept 2025)
Option 2 • Target Maintenance Sub-Index from predicted weight
Option 3 • Predicted weight from Maintenance Sub-Index
For more information on the updated Economic Values – click here.